LAS VEGAS – The Cavs will get their first look at Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers in summer league action today – Thursday, July 18 – at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. The NBA summer league matchup is available on multiple streaming services for free.
The game will broadcast live on ESPN beginning at 9 p.m. Eastern. (6 p.m. Pacific). Fans can catch the game for free by taking advantage of streaming service options like FuboTV and DirecTV Stream, which both offer free trials. Sling TV has promotional offers for new customers.
Here’s more info on how to watch Cavs vs. Lakers on TV and streaming services:
- What: NBA Summer League: Cavs vs. Lakers
- When: Thursday, July 18, 2024
- Time: 9 p.m. Eastern (6 p.m. Pacific)
- Where: Thomas and Mack Center | Las Vegas, Nevada
- Channel: ESPN
- Best streaming options: FuboTV (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial) and Sling TV (half off first month)
- Cable Channel Finder: AT&T U-Verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DirecTv, Dish, Verizon Fios
The Cavs (1-2) are coming off a 96-85 loss to the Golden State Warriors. A stark contrast to their performance against the Milwaukee Bucks earlier in the week.
The Cavs fell behind 7-0 and trailed by 16 in the first half. It was an uphill climb from the jump.
Cleveland was led by Craig Porter Jr.’s 14 points while Emoni Bates nabbed 13 points and Pete Nance grabbed eight rebounds.
Both are on two-way contracts and have a lot to play for in these exhibition games. Bates is averaging 17 points per game, while Porter Jr. is averaging 13 points and four assists.
Rookie Jaylon Tyson was limited to just four points on six shots with four assists and four first-half turnovers. After posting marks of 15 and 14 points, the No. 20 overall pick from the University of California appeared less comfortable in the flow of the game.
Tyson averaged 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists in the team’s first two games of the summer.
The Cavs are averaging 92 points per game on 44.1% shooting. Their defense is allowing 94.3 points per game. Cleveland is allowing its opponents to shoot 35.9% but staying nifty in the passing lanes with an average of 11 steals per game.
Watch Cavs vs. Lakers for free on DirecTV Stream
The Lakers (1-5) lost all three games of the California Classic and followed up with two losses to the Houston Rockets and the Boston Celtics in the Vegas league. Los Angeles finally entered the win column with a scrappy 87-86 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
Bronny James, son of NBA all-time leading scorer LeBron James, finally broke through with an admirable performance. He notched a career-high 12 points on 5-for-11 shooting along with one rebound and one steal. He also went 2-for-5 from beyond the arc, marking his first 3-pointer of his professional career.
While the stats were a nice touch, James hit the game-tying 3-pointer in crunch time, summing up his overall solid performance.
Lakers No. 17 overall pick Dalton Knecht, who has impressed this summer, did not play (rest). He is averaging 22 points, including 41.2% from beyond the arc. The Tennessee product is expected to return against the Cavs on the second night of a back-to-back.
In his absence on Wednesday, Los Angeles received a strong performance from Colin Castleton, who scored 17 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Blake Hinson added 14 points to help boost the struggling offense. The Castleton-Bates matchup will be an intriguing one to keep an eye on.
The Lakers are averaging 79.8 points while allowing 92.2 points per game. They are shooting 44.5%, including just 26.4% from beyond the arc.
Both teams need a win to pull to .500 and salvage their Vegas summer league. Both are coming off games less than 24 hours ago. A down-to-the-wire conclusion could once again be in the works for the Lakers.
What is Bronny James averaging in NBA summer league?
Through five games, James is averaging 5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists He has totaled 29 points on 12-for-42 (28.5%) shooting and is 2-for-20 from beyond the arc. James has tallied 16 rebounds, six steals and three blocks.
What are the latest odds for Cavs vs. Lakers summer league?
Moneyline: LA: (+195), CLE: (-238)
Point spread: LA: +5.5, CLE: -5.5
Over/Under: 178.5